Operating mechanism for rear hinged fully sealed independent side operating doors

ABSTRACT

A vehicle door includes a door panel slidably operable between a secured position within a door aperture and a staging position partially distal from the door aperture. A latch is engaged with a striker path during operation of the door panel between the secured and staging positions, and is selectively disengaged from the striker path to define open and closed positions of the door panel when the door panel is in the staging position.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention generally relates to vehicle doors, and morespecifically, a rear-hinged fully sealed side door that operates in amullion-free setting with a front-hinged side opening door.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Within various vehicles, a front-hinged side door may be paired with asmaller rear-hinged door that has no exterior door handle on the outersurface of the rear-hinged door. Typically, to operate such rear-hingeddoors, the front door must first be opened to reveal a door handle forthe rear-hinged door located on an edge panel of the rear-hinged door.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to one aspect of the present invention, a vehicle includes apassenger cabin having an access aperture with oppositely hinged forwardand rearward doors coupled to a vehicle frame and a rearward hingeassembly having a first hinge extending between the vehicle frame andthe rearward door and a second hinge positioned at an end of the firsthinge proximate the rearward door. Operation of the first hinge slidesthe rearward door between a secured position and a staging position. Thesecured position is defined by a portion of the rearward door beingpositioned within the aperture and between the vehicle frame and theforward door. The staging position is defined by the rearward doortranslating in a rearward and outward direction away from the apertureand the forward door. Operation of the second hinge rotates the rearwarddoor between open and closed positions when the rearward door is in thestaging position. A latch of the rearward door translates along astriker path during operation of the first hinge. The latch remainsselectively secured within the striker path during operation of therearward door from the secured and staging positions. The latch isselectively engaged and disengaged from the striker path when therearward door is in the staging position.

According to another aspect of the present invention, a vehicle doorincludes a door panel slidably operable between a secured positionwithin a door aperture and a staging position partially distal from thedoor aperture. A latch is engaged with a striker path during operationof the door panel between the secured and staging positions, and isselectively disengaged from the striker path to define open and closedpositions of the door panel when the door panel is in the stagingposition.

According to another aspect of the present invention, a vehicle doorincludes a motor that guides a door latch along a linear striker path ofa vehicle frame and simultaneously rotates a door about the door latchwhen engaged within the striker path to define secured and stagingpositions of the door. Also included is a hinge around which the doorrotates when the door is in the staging position, the hinge and latchbeing positioned on different edges of the door.

These and other aspects, objects, and features of the present inventionwill be understood and appreciated by those skilled in the art uponstudying the following specification, claims, and appended drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a side perspective view of a vehicle incorporating an aspectof the latch sliding mechanism;

FIG. 2 is a partial top plan view of the vehicle of FIG. 1 showing theforward door and rearward door each in closed and secured positions;

FIG. 3 is a partial top plan view of the vehicle of FIG. 2 showing therearward door moving toward the staging position;

FIG. 4 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the vehicle door of FIG. 3showing operation of the hinge assembly from the secured position to thestaging position;

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the vehicle door taken through theelongated striker of the latch-sliding mechanism;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the elongated striker and illustratingoperation of the latch of the latch sliding mechanism between thesecured and staging positions;

FIG. 7 is a partial top plan view of the vehicle door of FIG. 3 with thedoor in the staging position;

FIG. 8 is a partial top plan view of the vehicle door of FIG. 7 showingthe rear hinged door in the staging position and operating between theopen and closed positions;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of an alternate aspect of the striker pathand illustrating an operable striker in the secured position;

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the operable striker of FIG. 9 showingthe operable striker in the staging position; and

FIG. 11 is a linear flow diagram illustrating operation of a rear hingeddoor having a latch sliding mechanism.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

For purposes of description herein, the terms “upper,” “lower,” “right,”“left,” “rear,” “front,” “vertical,” “horizontal,” and derivativesthereof shall relate to the invention as oriented in FIG. 1. However, itis to be understood that the invention may assume various alternativeorientations, except where expressly specified to the contrary. It isalso to be understood that the specific devices and processesillustrated in the attached drawings, and described in the followingspecification are simply exemplary embodiments of the inventive conceptsdefined in the appended claims. Hence, specific dimensions and otherphysical characteristics relating to the embodiments disclosed hereinare not to be considered as limiting, unless the claims expressly stateotherwise.

As shown in FIGS. 1-8, reference numeral 10 generally refers to a latchsliding mechanism incorporated within a vehicle 12 having a front-hingedforward door 14 and a rear-hinged rearward door 16 that meet at amullion-free securing location 18 and are operable to provide accessinto and from a passenger cabin 20 of the vehicle 12. The vehicle 12 caninclude a passenger cabin 20 having an access aperture 22 withoppositely hinged forward and rearward doors 14, 16 that are coupled toa frame 24 of the vehicle 12. The forward door 14 can be a front-hingeddoor that opens toward a front 26 of the vehicle 12. The rearward door16 can be a rear-hinged door that opens toward a rear 28 of the vehicle12, where the forward and rearward doors 14, 16 meet at a centralportion 30 of the access aperture 22. The forward and rearward doors 14,16 are adapted to meet at a location that typically includes a “B”pillar. However, in the various embodiments disclosed herein, thevehicle 12 does not include the “B” pillar. Accordingly, the accessaperture 22 is a single continuous opening that serves both the forwardand rearward doors 14, 16. The forward door 14 can include aconventional hinge mechanism where a door handle 32 is positioned on anexterior surface 34 of the forward door 14 for operating the forwarddoor 14 between a plurality of forward-door positions 36. For operatingthe rearward door 16, a rearward hinge assembly 38 can include a firsthinge 40 that extends between the frame 24 of the vehicle 12 and therearward door 16. A second hinge 42 can be positioned at an end 44 ofthe first hinge 40 proximate the rearward door 16. Operation of thefirst hinge 40 serves to translate the rearward door 16 between asecured position 46 and a staging position 48. The secured position 46is defined by a portion of the rearward door 16 being positioned withinthe access aperture 22 and secured or tucked between a portion of theframe 24 of the vehicle 12 and a portion of the forward door 14. In thesecured position 46, and when the forward door 14 is closed, therearward door 16 is incapable of being operated between the open andclosed positions 50, 52. The staging position 48 of the rearward door 16is defined by the rearward door 16 translating in a rearward direction54 and outward direction 56 away from the access aperture 22 and awayfrom the forward door 14. Once in the staging position 48, operation ofthe second hinge 42 rotates the rearward door 16 between open and closedpositions 50, 52. A latch 58 of the rearward door 16 is adapted totranslate along a striker path 60 during operation of the first hinge40. During operation of the first hinge 40 between the secured andstaging positions 46, 48, the latch 58 remains selectively securedwithin the striker path 60. The latch 58 can be selectively engaged anddisengaged from the striker path 60 when a rearward door 16 is in thestaging position 48.

As the rearward door 16 moves between the secured and staging positions46, 48, the rearward door 16 is adapted to rotate about a point withinan engagement area 70 defined by the selective engagement of the latch58 with the striker path 60. In this manner, the striker path 60 isdefined by a linear motion 72, or substantially linear motion 72, of alatch side 74 of the door in combination with a rotating motion 76 ofthe rearward door 16 at a hinge side 78 of the rearward door 16. Thiscombination of linear and rotating motion 76 of the rearward door 16accomplishes the simultaneous motion of the rearward door 16 in therearward and outward directions 54, 56 to define the secured and stagingpositions 46, 48. As the rearward door 16 translates along the strikerpath 60, the rotational point that the rearward door 16 rotates alsotranslates along the striker path 60. This rotational point follows theengagement of the latch 58 with the striker path 60.

Referring again to FIGS. 4-7, it is contemplated that the striker path60 along which the latch 58 operates during operation of the rearwarddoor 16 between the secured and staging positions 46, 48 can be definedby an elongated striker 88 that is coupled to the frame 24 of thevehicle 12. During operation of the rearward door 16 between the securedand staging positions 46, 48, the latch 58, engaged within the strikerpath 60, slides along the elongated striker 88 between the secured andstaging positions 46, 48. As discussed previously, as the latch 58slides along the elongated striker 88, the rearward door 16 rotatesabout a point within the engagement area 70 defined by the engagementbetween the latch 58 and the elongated striker 88.

Referring again to FIGS. 1-8, the latch sliding mechanism 10incorporated within the rearward door 16 provides for a configuration ofthe forward and rearward doors 14, 16 that is free of a central mullionor “B” pillar, extending through a central portion 30 of the accessaperture 22. It is contemplated that the striker path 60, such as theelongated striker 88, or the operable striker 90 (exemplified in FIGS. 9and 10), which will be discussed more fully below, can be disposedwithin a bottom portion 92 of the access aperture 22 attached to ordefined within a portion of the frame 24 of the vehicle 12. Accordingly,the latch 58 of the rearward door 16 can be positioned within a lowerportion 94 of the rearward door 16 proximate the latch side 74 of therearward door 16.

In various embodiments, to further secure the rearward door 16 withinthe secured and staging positions 46, 48, the rearward door 16 caninclude an upper latch or secondary latch 96 that engages a secondarystriker 98 disposed at an upper portion 100 of the access aperture 22proximate a roof line 102 of the frame 24 of the vehicle 12. It iscontemplated that the secondary latch 96 would simply follow theoperation of the latch 58 disposed at a lower portion 94 of the rearwarddoor 16. It is also contemplated that this secondary latch 96 may onlyserve to secure the rearward door 16 in the secured position 46. In suchan embodiment, when the rearward door 16 is moved from the secured tothe staging positions 46, 48, the secondary latch 96 may release fromthe secondary striker 98, such that when the rearward door 16 is in thestaging position 48, the rearward door 16 is only secured to the frame24 of the vehicle 12 through the engagement of the latch 58 within thestriker path 60 at the bottom portion 92 of the access aperture 22. Itis contemplated that the positions of the latch 58 and the striker path60 can be switched to be proximate the roof line 102 of the vehicle 12.

Referring again to FIGS. 1-8, it is contemplated that the rearward door16 can only be operated between the open and closed positions 50, 52when the rearward door 16 is in the staging position 48. Alternatively,it is contemplated that the rearward door 16 can be operated between theopen and closed positions 50, 52 from the secured position 46, when theforward door 14 is moved to the open position 50. In such an embodiment,if the forward door 14 is moved to a closed position 52 before therearward door 16 is moved to a closed position 52, closure of theforward door 14 can result in the latch sliding mechanism 10 moving tothe staging position 48 without being engaged with the rearward door 16.Accordingly, when the rearward door 16 is moved to the closed position52, engagement of the latch 58 of the rearward door 16 will be withinthe staging position 48 of the striker path 60 to avoid a collision withthe closed forward door 14. Once in the staging position 48, therearward door 16 can then be translated forward and inward within theaccess aperture 22 to define the secured position 46 of the rearwarddoor 16. Typically, the rearward door 16 will move from a securedposition 46 to the staging position 48, each time that the occupantdesires to open the rearward door 16, regardless of the position of theforward door 14.

Referring again to FIGS. 4, 7 and 8, it is contemplated that therearward hinge assembly 38 having the first and second hinges 40, 42 caninclude a first hinge 40 in the form of a gooseneck hinge 110 thatserves to move the hinge side 78 of the rearward door 16 in a combinedoutward and rearward direction 56, 54. This operation of the gooseneckhinge 110 serves to pull the latch side 74 of the rearward door 16 outof the tuck space 112 defined between the forward door 14 and the frame24 of the vehicle 12. Accordingly, the staging position 48 places therearward door 16 in a condition such that it can freely operate betweenthe open and closed positions 50, 52.

Referring again to FIGS. 4-10, in order to assist the user in operatingthe rearward door 16 between the secured and staging positions 46, 48,the rearward door 16 can include a motor 120 that is coupled to at leastone of the rearward hinge assembly 38 and the striker path 60, or bothof these assemblies. It is contemplated that operation of the motor 120serves to manipulate the rearward door 16 between the secured andstaging positions 46, 48. Where a motor 120 is disposed at the rearwardhinge assembly 38, the motor 120 serves to rotate the gooseneck hinge110 to manipulate the rearward door 16 outward and rearward between thesecured and staging positions 46, 48. The motor 120 can then operateagain to manipulate the rearward door 16 between the staging position 48and secured position 46 through operation of the gooseneck hinge 110.

As exemplified in FIGS. 9 and 10, it is also contemplated that a motor120 can be positioned proximate the striker path 60 that translates thelatch 58 through operation of the motor 120 within the striker path 60.Typically, a motor 120 located within the striker path 60 will operatean operable striker 90 that is slidably operable through a slot 122 thatdefines the striker path 60. The latch sliding mechanism 10 can includea single motor 120, where the single motor 120 is disposed within therearward hinge assembly 38 or disposed proximate the striker path 60 foroperating the operable striker 90. Alternatively, the latch slidingmechanism 10 can include two motors 120 at each of the rearward hingeassembly 38 and the striker path 60, where each of the plurality ofmotors 120 can be sized to be smaller and work in cooperation with oneanother. It is also contemplated that one of the motors 120, such as themotor 120 at the rearward hinge assembly 38, can be used to manipulatethe rearward door 16 between the secured and staging positions 46, 48.The other motor 120, at the striker path 60, can be used to manipulatethe rearward door 16 between the staging and secured positions 48, 46,or vice versa. It is contemplated that various other configurations ofthe motors 120 for operating the latch sliding mechanism 10 can beimplemented.

Referring again to FIGS. 4-8, the rearward door 16 can include alighting mechanism 130 that activates as the rearward door 16 movesbetween the secured and staging positions 46, 48 and/or as the rearwarddoor 16 operates between the open and closed positions 50, 52. Thislighting mechanism 130 of the rearward door 16 can serve to alertbystanders that the rearward door 16 will be opening outward and towardthe rear 28 of the vehicle 12. In various embodiments, the lightingmechanism 130 can be accompanied by an auditory internal and/or externalsignal to alert the occupants and bystanders of the operation of therearward door 16 between the secured and staging positions 46, 48 and/orthe open and closed positions 50, 52. Because the occurrence of arearward door 16 is not typically seen within most vehicles 12, theoperation of a rearward door 16 may be an unexpected occurrence tovarious bystanders. The inclusion of the lighting mechanism 130 and/oran auditory signal can alert bystanders to the operation of the rearwarddoor 16. The lighting mechanism 130 can be a single light or a pluralityof lights positioned along a portion of the vehicle 12 and/or therearward door 16.

Referring again to FIGS. 1-8, it is contemplated that the rearward door16 can operate through an interior door handle 138 that includes amulti-operational release mechanism 140. The multi-operational releasemechanism 140 can include an operating system that is defined by aseries of manipulations of handle 138 that can serve to unlock therearward door 16, move the rearward door 16 between the secured andstaging positions 46, 48 and/or open the rear door, when in the stagingposition 48, from the closed position 52 to the open position 50 of therearward door 16. It is also contemplated that a first manipulation ofthe multi-operational door handle 138 can serve to unlock the rearwarddoor 16, and a second manipulation of the handle 138 of the rearwarddoor 16 can initiate motion of the rearward door 16 from the securedposition 46 to the staging positions 48. Once the rearward door 16 is inthe staging position 48, the latch 58 can be adapted to automaticallydisengage from the striker path 60. The rearward door 16 can then eitherautomatically rotate from the closed to the open position 52, 50, or canbe pushed by the occupant from the closed position 52 to the openposition 50. Similar operation in the opposing direction can be used aswell for moving the rearward door 16 from the open position 50 to theclosed position 52 to define the staging position 48. From the stagingposition 48, the latch sliding mechanism 10 can be used to move therearward door 16 from the staging position 48 to the secured position46.

It is contemplated that the multi-operational release mechanism 140 canbe used in conjunction with a master control mechanism of the vehicle 12to allow for operation of the rearward door 16 only in certainoperational conditions of the vehicle 12. By way of example, and notlimitation, where the vehicle 12 is moving in excess of a predeterminedspeed, such as approximately 3 km/hr, or the vehicle 12 is in a certaintransmission setting (neutral, reverse, or one of the drive gears), themulti-operational release mechanism 140 may be substantially ineffectiveat operating the rearward door 16. It is also contemplated that when theappropriate parameters are met, i.e., the vehicle 12 moves below acertain speed or the transmission of the vehicle 12 is placed in “park,”then the master control of the vehicle 12 can communicate to the latchsliding mechanism 10 an unlock signal or other operation signal thatwill allow the user to unlock the rearward door 16 and/or allow theoccupant to manipulate the rearward door 16 between at least the securedand staging positions 46, 48.

Referring now to FIGS. 7-10, it is contemplated that the striker path 60along which the latch 58 operates between the secured and stagingpositions 46, 48 can be defined by an operable striker 90 that isoperably secured to the frame 24 of the vehicle 12. The operable striker90 can be adapted to linearly translate through a slot 122 definedwithin the frame 24 of the vehicle 12 where the operable striker 90moves along the slot 122 to define the secured and staging positions 46,48. As with the other embodiments of the striker path 60, as therearward door 16 moves between the secured and staging positions 46, 48,the rearward door 16 can at least partially rotate about an engagementarea 70 between the latch 58 and the operable striker 90. This rotationof the rearward door 16 can be caused by the first hinge 40, typicallyin the form of a gooseneck hinge 110 that operates in conjunction with ahinge side 78 of the rearward door 16. As discussed above, the rearwarddoor 16 can include a secondary striker path 60 and secondary latch 96.It is contemplated that, in certain embodiments, where an operablestriker 90 is used, both the operable striker 90 and secondary striker98 can include the operable striker 90 that move in unison between thesecured position 46 and the staging position 48.

Referring again to FIGS. 1-10, the rearward door 16 of the vehicle 12can include a door panel 150 that is slidably operable between thesecured position 46 within the door access aperture 22 and a stagingposition 48 that is partially distal from the door access aperture 22and the forward door 14. The latch 58 of the rearward door 16 can beengaged with a striker path 60 during operation of the door panel 150between the secured and staging positions 46, 48. The door panel 150 canbe selectively disengaged in the striker path 60 to define open andclosed positions 50, 52 of the door panel 150 when the door panel 150 isin the staging position 48. In such an embodiment, it is contemplatedthat the striker path 60 can be positioned along a bottom portion 92 ofthe door access aperture 22 proximate the central portion 30 of the dooraccess aperture 22. The door panel 150 can include a first hinge 40 thatextends between the side edge 160 of the door aperture and a verticaledge 162 of the door panel 150 proximate a hinge side 78 of the doorpanel 150. It is contemplated that operation of the first hinge 40 atleast partially guides the door panel 150 between the secured andstaging positions 46, 48 and moves the door panel 150 in a combined andsimultaneous linear and rotating motion 72, 76 relative to the dooraccess aperture 22. The door panel 150 can also include the second hinge42 that is positioned at the end 44 of the first hinge 40 at thevertical edge 162 of the hinge side 78 of the door panel 150. The secondhinge 42 is adapted to at least partially guide operation of the doorpanel 150 between the open and closed positions 50, 52 when the firsthinge 40 defines the staging position 48. As discussed above, the latch58 can be positioned on a latch side 74 of the rearward door 16 andtypically along a bottom surface of the rearward door 16 proximate thelatch side 74. Similarly, the secondary latch 96 can be positionedproximate the latch side 74 of the rearward door 16 at a top portion ofthe rearward door 16.

Referring again to FIGS. 1-10, the rearward door 16 of the vehicle 12can include a motor 120 that guides a latch 58 of the rearward door 16along a linear strike path of the frame 24 of the vehicle 12. The motor120 is adapted to simultaneously rotate the rearward door 16 about thelatch 58 of the rearward door 16 when engaged with the striker path 60.In this manner, the motor 120 operates the rearward door 16 to definethe secured and staging positions 46, 48 of the rearward door 16. Therearward door 16 of the vehicle 12 can also include a hinge, such as therearward hinge assembly 38, around which the rearward door 16 rotateswhen the rearward door 16 is in the staging position 48. It iscontemplated that the hinge and the latch 58 can be positioned alongdifferent edges or sides of the rearward door 16. As discussed above,the hinge can be disposed on a hinge side 78 of the rearward door 16 andthe latch 58 can be disposed on a latch side 74 of the rearward door 16.As discussed above, the latch side 74 of the rearward door 16 can beproximate the forward door 14 and the hinge side 78 of the rearward door16 can be opposite the forward door 14.

Referring now to FIGS. 1-11, having described the various embodiments ofthe latch sliding mechanism 10, a method 400 is disclosed formanipulating a rearward door 16 through the use of the latch slidingmechanism 10. According to the method 400, an unlock signal is providedto the rearward door 16 and the latch sliding mechanism 10 to unlock therearward door 16, if locked (step 402). The unlock signal can beprovided by a remote wireless signal from a key fob, smart phone,wearable technology, or other portable computing device able to transferthe unlock signal to the rearward door 16. Additionally, the unlocksignal can be provided by operating the interior door handle 138 of therearward door 16. It is contemplated that a single manipulation of theinterior door handle 138 may be sufficient to provide the unlock signaland also operate the rearward door 16 between the secured position 46,the staging position 48 and the open position 50. It is alsocontemplated that a series of manipulations of the interior door handle138 may be used to unlock and operate the rearward door 16. Onceunlocked, the user can operate the door handle 138 or other portion ofthe rearward door 16 to activate a motor 120 for manipulating therearward door 16 from the secured position 46 to the staging position 48(step 404). As discussed above, as the rearward door 16 moves from thesecured to the staging position 48, the rearward door 16 operates in acombined and substantially simultaneous linear and rotational manner tomove the rearward door 16 rearward and outward from the access aperture22 of the vehicle 12. In this manner, a latch side 74 of the rearwarddoor 16 is moved out of a tuck space 112 defined between the forwarddoor 14 and a frame 24 of the vehicle 12, such that the rearward door 16is free to rotate between the open and closed positions 50, 52 withoutcolliding with the forward door 14. Once the rearward door 16 is in thestaging position 48, the rearward door 16 can then move from the closedposition 52 to the open position 50 (step 406). As discussed above, thismotion of the rearward door 16 about the second hinge 42 from the closedposition 52 to the open position 50 can be caused by another pull of thehandle 138 or can be caused by an automatic unlatching of the latch 58from the striker path 60, once the rearward door 16 is in the stagingposition 48. To move the rearward door 16 from the closed to the openposition 50, a motor 120 can automatically rotate the rearward door 16or the rearward door 16 can be manually operated from the closed to openposition 50. When the user of the vehicle 12 is ready to close therearward door 16, the rearward door 16 is moved from the open position50 to the closed position 52 to redefine the staging position 48 of therearward door 16 (step 408). Once re-latched in the secured position 46,the rearward door 16 is then automatically moved from the stagingposition 48 back to the secured position 46 (step 410).

According to the various embodiments, the use of the tuck space 112provides a securing feature that may be advantageous during a collisioninvolving the vehicle 12. The positioning of the latch side 74 of therearward door 16 within the tuck space 112 between the frame 24 and theforward door 14 substantially secures the rearward door 16 in the closedposition 52 during such a collision. The forward door 14 prevents themovement of the latch side 74 of the rearward door 16 in the outwarddirection 56. In this manner, the rearward door 16 remains in the closedposition 52 or substantially in the closed position 52 during such acollision or other similar impact involving the vehicle 12.

It is also contemplated that the movement of the rearward door 26between the secured and staging positions 46, 48 allows for engagementand disengagement, respectively, of a door seal system. The door sealsystem is adapted to form a tight seal between the forward and rearwarddoors 14, 16 and between the rearward door 16 and the access aperture 22as the rearward door 16 moves into the secured position 46. Because thelatch side 74 of the rearward door 16 is positioned behind andsubstantially against the forward door 14 when in the secured position46, the door seal system can be positioned in a variety of areas withinthe tuck space 112.

It is contemplated that the latch sliding mechanism 10 can be used inconjunction with various proximity signals that can be incorporatedwithin a key fob, portable computing devices (smart phones, tablets,wearable technology) such that the locking and unlocking operation ofthe latch sliding mechanism 10 can be accomplished remotely.Additionally, the use of a portable computing device can serve tomanipulate the rearward door 16 from the secured to the staging position48, or vice versa, as the occupant of the vehicle 12 approaches or walksaway from the vehicle 12.

It is contemplated that the rearward door 16 can include a door handle138 on the inside of the vehicle 12 for allowing an occupant to operatethe rearward door 16 between the secured and staging positions 46, 48and the open and closed positions 50, 52. The interior door handle 138can also be located toward a front area of the rearward door 16 near themeeting point of the forward and rearward doors 14, 16. It is alsocontemplated that the rearward door 16 can include an exterior handle170 positioned along a forward edge 172 of the rearward door 16 thatbecomes accessible once the rearward door 16 is moved from the securedposition 46 to the staging position 48. When the rearward door 16 is inthe secured position 46, the forward edge 172 of the rearward door 16 istucked within the tuck space 112 between the forward door 14 and theframe 24 of the vehicle 12. When the rearward door 16 moves to thestaging position 48, the space between the rearward door 16 and theforward door 14 defines an accessible space 174 within which the user ofthe vehicle 12 can access an external handle 32 to operate the rearwarddoor 16 from the closed position 52 to the open position 50 when therearward door 16 is in the staging position 48. It is also contemplatedthat the exterior handle 170 can be located on the outer surface of therearward door 16 and usable when both the forward and rearward doors 14,16 are each in the closed positions 52.

According to the various embodiments, it is contemplated that when auser of a vehicle 12 approaches the vehicle 12 having the latch slidingmechanism 10 to enter the vehicle 12, proximity of the key fob and/orthe appropriate portable computing device can automatically cause therearward door 16 to operate from the secured to the staging positions46, 48 to allow convenient access for the user to open the rearward door16 from the closed position 52 to the open position 50. It iscontemplated that once the occupant of the vehicle 12 places the vehicle12 in a gear other than “park” or provides some other similar signalthat operational of the vehicle 12 is imminent, the rearward door 16 canthen be moved from the staging position 48 to the secured position 46.So long as the door is in the staging position 48, it is contemplatedthat the latch 58 can remain secured with the striker path 60 wheremanipulation of a handle 32 of the rearward door 16 is required to movethe rearward door 16 from the closed position 52 to the open position 50when the rearward door 16 is in the staging position 48.

According to the various embodiments, the latch sliding mechanism 10 canbe used in various doors that can include, but are not limited to,extended cab rearward doors 16, sliding doors, front hinged doors,tailgates, trunks, hoods, and other operable exterior panels within avehicle 12.

It is to be understood that variations and modifications can be made onthe aforementioned structure without departing from the concepts of thepresent invention, and further it is to be understood that such conceptsare intended to be covered by the following claims unless these claimsby their language expressly state otherwise.

What is claimed is:
 1. A vehicle comprising: a passenger cabin having anaccess aperture with oppositely hinged forward and rearward doorscoupled to a vehicle frame; a rearward hinge assembly having a firsthinge extending between the vehicle frame and the rearward door and asecond hinge positioned at an end of the first hinge proximate therearward door, wherein operation of the first hinge slides the rearwarddoor between a secured position and a staging position, the securedposition defined by a portion of the rearward door being positionedwithin the aperture and between the vehicle frame and the forward door,the staging position defined by the rearward door translating in arearward and outward direction away from the aperture and the forwarddoor, and wherein operation of the second hinge rotates the rearwarddoor between open and closed positions when the rearward door is in thestaging position; and a latch of the rearward door that translates alonga striker path during operation of the first hinge, wherein the latchremains selectively secured within the striker path during operation ofthe rearward door from the secured and staging positions, wherein thelatch is selectively engaged and disengaged from the striker path whenthe rearward door is in the staging position.
 2. The vehicle of claim 1,wherein the rearward door rotates about an engagement area defined byselective engagement of the latch and the striker path during operationof the rearward door between the secured and staging positions.
 3. Thevehicle of claim 1, wherein the striker path is defined by an elongatedstriker coupled to the vehicle frame, wherein the latch slides along theelongated striker during operation of the rearward door between thesecured and staging positions.
 4. The vehicle of claim 2, wherein thestriker path is defined by an operable striker that is operably securedto a vehicle frame, and wherein the operable striker linearly translatesthrough a slot defined within the vehicle frame.
 5. The vehicle of claim1, wherein the latch is selectively engaged and disengaged from thestriker path only when the rearward door is in the secured position. 6.The vehicle of claim 1, further comprising: a release mechanism coupledto the rearward hinge assembly and the latch, wherein the releasemechanism is operable to define a first manipulation that operates therearward door from the secured position to the staging position, andwherein the release mechanism is operable to subsequently define asecond manipulation that disengages the latch from the striker path whenthe rearward door is in the staging position.
 7. The vehicle of claim 1,further comprising: a motor coupled to at least one of the rearwardhinge assembly and the striker path, wherein the motor operates therearward door between the secured and staging positions.
 8. The vehicleof claim 1, wherein the first hinge is a gooseneck hinge.
 9. A vehicledoor comprising: a door panel slidably operable between a securedposition within a door aperture and a staging position partially distalfrom the door aperture; and a latch engaged with a striker path duringoperation of the door panel between the secured and staging positions,and selectively disengaged from the striker path to define open andclosed positions of the door panel when the door panel is in the stagingposition.
 10. The vehicle door of claim 9, wherein the striker path isdefined by an elongated striker coupled to a vehicle frame, wherein thelatch slides along the elongated striker during operation of the doorpanel between the secured and staging positions.
 11. The vehicle door ofclaim 10, wherein slidable operation of the door panel between thesecured and staging positions is defined by rotation of the door panelabout an engagement area wherein the latch engages the elongatedstriker.
 12. The vehicle door of claim 9, wherein the door panelincludes a first hinge extending between a side edge of the dooraperture and a vertical edge of the door panel, wherein operation of thefirst hinge at least partially guides the door panel between the securedand staging positions.
 13. The vehicle door of claim 12, wherein thefirst hinge is a gooseneck hinge.
 14. The vehicle door of claim 12,wherein the door panel includes a second hinge positioned at an end ofthe first hinge at the vertical edge of the door panel, the second hingeat least partially guiding operation of the door panel between the openand closed positions when the first hinge defines the staging position.15. The vehicle door of claim 14, wherein the striker path is positionedalong a bottom portion of the door aperture and proximate a centralportion of the door aperture.
 16. The vehicle door of claim 9, furthercomprising: a release mechanism coupled to the door panel and the latch,wherein the release mechanism is operable to define a first manipulationthat operates the door panel from the secured position to the stagingposition, and wherein the release mechanism is operable to subsequentlydefine a second manipulation that disengages the latch from the strikerpath when the door panel is in the staging position.
 17. The vehicledoor of claim 9, further comprising: a motor coupled to at least one ofthe door panel and the striker path, wherein the motor operates the doorpanel between the secured and staging positions.
 18. A vehicle doorcomprising: a motor that guides a door latch along a linear striker pathof a vehicle frame and simultaneously rotates a door about the doorlatch when engaged within the striker path to define secured and stagingpositions of the door; and a hinge around which the door rotates whenthe door is in the staging position, the hinge and door latch beingpositioned on different edges of the door.
 19. The vehicle door of claim18, wherein the striker path is defined by an elongated striker coupledto the vehicle frame, wherein the door latch slides along the elongatedstriker during operation of the door between the secured and stagingpositions.
 20. The vehicle door of claim 18, wherein the striker path isdefined by an operable striker that is operably secured to the vehicleframe, and wherein the operable striker linearly translates through aslot defined within the vehicle frame.